title: Complications of cirrhosis. Why they occur and what to do about them.
abstract: Cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver in which dense bands of fibrosis enclose regenerative hepatocellular nodules. Clinical and radiologic features of advanced liver disease provide presumptive evidence for the presence of cirrhosis. Major complications are related to the increased hepatic resistance, increased sodium and water retention, and hyperdynamic changes of the circulatory system. Patient management should consist of appropriate prophylaxis for the life-threatening complications of variceal bleeding and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and treatment of other complications as signs and symptoms develop.
authors.affiliation: Liver Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-0005, USA. joseph_bloomer@gasmac.dom.uab.edu
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bloomer
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004932:Esophageal and Gastric Varices / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control